Finalists announced in Canadian Cheese Grand Prix
The Dairy Farmers of Canada has just announced finalists for its coveted Canadian Cheese Grand Prix awards.
The 58 finalists were selected from among a record number of entries–225 cheeses in 18 different categories.
The Canadian Cheese Grand Prix is organized every two years by Dairy Farmers of Canada. This year's finalists were chosen by a jury of food industry experts.
"Canadian cheese makers from coast to coast are producing top-quality, impressive cheeses," said Phil Bélanger, Canadian Cheese Grand Prix jury chairman.
"The diversity we saw within the 18 categories really showcases how evolved this craft has become in Canada. From aged cheddars to organic cheeses, cheese makers from across Canada are taking it to the next level and are the envy of other cheese making nations," Bélanger said.
This year, a new category for "Fresh Cheese with Grilling Properties" was added in which cheeses were judged in both their natural form as well as in grilled form. Meanwhile, no finalists were chosen in the "Pasta Filata" category.
The 2013 Grand Prix finalists are:
| Fresh cheese: | Ricotta , International Cheese Co. Ltd., Ont. Tre Stelle Mascarpone, Arla Foods Inc., Ont. Ricotta, Quality Cheese Inc., Ont. | |
| Fresh cheese with grilling properties: | Queso Fresco Cheese, Latin Foods Inc., Alta. Queso Puro Mexicano, Grandpa's Dairy Produce Inc., Ont. Guernsey Girl, Upper Canada Cheese Company, Ont. | |
| Soft cheese with bloomy rind: | Golden Ears Brie, Golden Ears Cheesecrafters Ltd., B.C. Le Noble, Fromagerie Domaine Féodal inc., Que. Alberts Leap, Quality Cheese Inc., Ont. | |
| Semi-soft cheese: | Tre Stelle Feta Cheese, Arla Foods Inc., Ont. Golden Ears Aged Havarti, Golden Ears Cheesecrafters Ltd., B.C. Dofino Creamy Havarti Cheese, Arla Foods Inc., Ont. | |
| Washed or mixed rind cheese (soft, semi-soft and firm): | Le Voyageur, Fromagerie Le P'tit Train Du Nord, Que. Le Mamirolle, Fromagerie Éco-Délices, Que. La Clef des Champs, Fromagerie Éco-Délices, Que. | |
| Firm cheese: | Réserve La Pérade, Fromagerie FX Pichet, Que. Tomme des Demoiselles, Fromagerie du Pied-de-Vent, Que. Gunn's Hill Five Brothers, Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese, Ont. | |
| Gouda: | Old Growler, That Dutchman's Cheese Farm, N.S. Grizzly Gouda, Sylvan Star Cheese Ltd., Alta. Aged Gouda, Sylvan Star Cheese Ltd., Alta. | |
| Swiss-type cheese: | Fleur de Weedon, Fromagerie P'tit Plaisir, Que. Louis D'or 18 months, Fromagerie du Presbytère, Que. Ménestrel, Fromagiers de la Table Ronde, Que. | |
| Mozzarella (ball, brick or cylinder): | Tre Stelle Mozzarella Cheese, Arla Foods Inc., Ont. Mozzarella, International Cheese Co. Ltd., Ont. Mozzarella Ball, International Cheese Co. Ltd., Ont. | |
| Blue cheese (various rinds, with or without veining): | Dragon's Breath, That Dutchman's Cheese Farm, N.S. Celtic Blue, Glengarry Cheesemaking Inc., Ont. Bleu d'Élizabeth, Fromagerie du Presbytère, Que. | |
| Flavoured cheese with added non-particulate flavourings: | Applewood Smoked Cheddar, Cows Creamery, P.E.I Natural Smoked Gouda, Sylvan Star Cheese Ltd., Alta. Smokehouse Cheddar, The Village Cheese Co, B.C. | |
| Flavoured cheese with added particulate solids and flavourings: | Italian Herbs Spiced Gouda, Sylvan Star Cheese Ltd., Alta. Raclette de Compton au poivre, Fromagerie La Station, Que. Cayenne & Green Peppercorn Spiced Gouda, Sylvan Star Cheese Ltd., Alta. | |
| Mild cheddar (aged 3 months): | ADL Cheddar, Amalgamated Dairies Limited, P.E.I L'Ancêtre Organic Mild Cheddar, Fromagerie L'Ancêtre, Que. Mild Cheddar Cheese, Ivanhoe Cheese, Ont. | |
| Medium cheddar (aged 4 to 9 months): | Medium Cheddar aged 6 months, Société Coopérative Agricole de L'Île-aux-Grues, Que. ADL Cheddar, Amalgamated Dairies Limited, P.E.I. Medium Cheddar, Maple Dale Cheese, Ont. Medium Cheddar Cheese, Ivanhoe Cheese, Ont. | |
| Old cheddar (aged from 9 months to a year): | Old Cheddar Cheese, Ivanhoe Cheese, Ont. 1 Year Old Cheddar, Maple Dale Cheese, Ont. Cheddar 1 year, Fromagerie Perron, Que. | |
| Aged cheddar (more than 1 year up to 3 years): | Extra Old Cheddar, Cows Creamery, P.E.I Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar, Cows Creamery, P.E.I. Cheddar 2 years, Fromagerie Perron, Que. | |
| Aged cheddar (more than 3 years): | 5 Year Aged Cheddar, The Black River Cheese Company Ltd., Ont. Cheddar Doyen, Fromagerie Perron, Que. 10 Year Old Cheddar with Wax Finish, Maple Dale Cheese, Ont. | |
| Farmhouse cheese: | Bleu d'Élizabeth, Fromagerie du Presbytère, Que. Louis D'or 18 months, Fromagerie du Presbytère, Que. Grizzly Gouda, Sylvan Star Cheese Ltd., Alta. | |
| Organic cheese: | Bleu d'Élizabeth, Fromagerie du Presbytère, Que. Alfred Le Fermier, Fromagerie La Station, Que. Louis D'or 18 months, Fromagerie du Presbytère, Que. |
The category champions and Grand Champion will be unveiled at the 2013 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix Gala of Champions at Montreal's Hyatt Regency Hotel April 18.
The Canadian Cheese Grand Prix began in 1998 to promote achievement and innovation in cheese making and to increase appreciation for Canadian cheese.
All eligible cheeses must be produced in Canada, bear the 100 per cent Canadian Milk symbol on their packaging and be available in stores.